Nigerian Senate Refutes Obasanjo’s Salary Allegations

Abuja, August 11, 2024 – The Nigerian Senate has responded to allegations made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo regarding senators’ salaries. In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate vehemently denied fixing its own salaries or receiving special fiscal packages from the Presidency¹. 

The former president criticized lawmakers for allegedly determining their salaries and allowances beyond what was approved by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He called this practice immoral and accused senators of giving themselves various allowances, including “newspaper allowances” and unauthorized funds.Obasanjo claimed that senators received N200 million each¹. 

The Senate expressed shock at Obasanjo’s comments and refuted the allegations. According to Adaramodu, senators receive only the constitutionally allocated salary determined by the RMAFC. Senators do not fix their own salaries; any contrary suggestion is deemed uncharitable and satanic. The Senate clarified that no senator has received monetary patronage from the Presidency, and the touted constituency projects are not for legislators but are implemented by the executive branch¹.

Senators’ salaries are constitutionally determined and not self-imposed. Constituency projects are suggested by legislators but executed by qualified contractors through the executive arm. The amount allocated for these projects varies based on the number of constituencies in each state, ensuring nationwide development¹.

Nigerian Senate firmly denies Obasanjo’s claims and emphasizes its commitment to transparency and constitutional processes. The debate over lawmakers’ salaries continues, but the Senate maintains its position that it operates within legal bounds¹. 🇳🇬

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Image source: Vanguard News